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No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Simone Gonçalves Sales Assunção - 2012.pdf: 7218299 bytes, checksum: 162d103e366ecb7539e9e2c392775d45 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-21 / This paper aims to propose a new method for assessing environmental risks based on the Ecological Risk Analysis method proposed by Faria (1983). Starting from the main scientific methods used for environmental risk assessment, methods of urban planning and environmental sustainability indicators used in models of environmental risk assessment, the new method is tested in the area around Mingau creek, in the neighborhood Parque Amazônia, in Goiania, Goiás, where it had been applied the method proposed by Faria (1983) and also in the vicinity of Santo Antonio creek, located in Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás. This method consists in obtaining data from the premise socioeconomic and the physical environment of the study site, determining a rank for each risk factor. Subsequently, these data are checked with the physical medium through an array that uses the aggregate sum of the levels divided by two, rounded statistically when necessary. The results show, generally, the interrelation between the environment factors the physical and socioeconomic environment and reveal in a clear, objective and direct that the environmental risks of the physical environment are interrelated and submitted to each factor inserted in the premise socio-environmental, particularly the direct effects that social factors on the print environment, the deemed to be interdependent. In the method de Faria (1983) each factor is naturally hierarchical individually and that the intersection matrix of the aggregation is by obtaining the intensity of damage indicators, which are the anthropic factors interfering on the natural environment, with indicators sensitivity of damage, that for each natural factor is adopted and an indicator refers to the ability of resistance and resilience of the physical environment. So, are crossed, the risk matrix, the intensity of damage with a sensitivity of damage and gives the level of ecological risk for each natural factor, differently. In this new method more directly, we obtain the level of risk to each factor, whether physical or socioeconomic and then the results are intercepted in a single array of aggregation, which results in the environmental risk of the interrelationship of factors jointly allowing demonstrate a more comprehensive and systemic results of environmental risk assessment. / Este trabalho propõe um novo método para avaliação de riscos ambientais baseado na Análise do Risco Ecológico, proposto por Faria (1983). Partindo-se dos principais métodos científicos utilizados para avaliação de risco ambiental, dos métodos de planejamento urbano e ambiental e dos indicadores de sustentabilidade utilizados nos modelos de avaliação de riscos ambientais, esta proposta foi testada na área do entorno do córrego Mingau, no bairro Parque Amazônia, em Goiânia, Goiás, onde em que já havia sido aplicado o método proposto por Faria (1983) e também no entorno do córrego Santo Antônio, localizado em Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás. Esse método consiste na obtenção de dados do meio socioeconômico e do meio físico do local de estudo, determinando um nível hierárquico de risco para cada fator. Posteriormente esses dados são cruzados com os do meio físico por meio de uma matriz de agregação. Os resultados expressam, de maneira geral, a inter-relação entre os fatores do meio físico e os do meio socioeconômico e revelam de maneira clara, objetiva e direta que os riscos ambientais do meio físico estão submetidos e inter-relacionados a cada fator inserido no meio socioambiental; principalmente os efeitos diretos que os fatores sociais imprimem sobre os ambientais. No método de Faria (1983) cada fator natural é hierarquizado de maneira individual, sendo que o cruzamento na matriz de agregação se dá por meio da obtenção dos indicadores de intensidade de danos, que são os fatores antrópicos interferindo no meio natural, com os indicadores de sensibilidade de danos. Para cada fator natural é adotado um indicador que se refere à capacidade de resistência e resiliência do meio físico. Assim, são cruzadas, na matriz de risco, intensidade de danos com sensibilidade de danos e obtém-se o nível de risco ecológico para cada fator natural, de forma distinta. Neste novo método de forma mais direta, obtém-se o nível de risco de danos para cada fator, seja físico ou socioeconômico e depois os resultados são interceptados em uma única matriz de agregação, que resulta no risco ambiental da inter-relação dos fatores de uma forma conjunta, permitindo demonstrar de maneira mais abrangente e sistêmica os resultados da avaliação de risco ambiental.

A criação de políticas públicas possui papel estratégico principalmente em relação aos problemas ambientais de ordem global. No entanto, é preciso que exista a compatibilização entre as políticas locais e nacionais, e destes com os tratados internacionais. Em se tratando das avaliações de impacto, o encadeamento das considerações ambientais de diferentes políticas, planos, em diferentes níveis político-administrativos, é chamado de tiering. Procurando esclarecer quais as condições e fatores que determinam um sistema de tiering efetivo, esta pesquisa teve por objetivo identificar e analisar as variáveis que potencialmente influenciam o encadeamento de informações e decisões ambientais entre os diferentes níveis de planejamento. Para tanto, em um primeiro momento, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura. Em seguida, com a ajuda metodológica da análise de conteúdo, a informação bruta foi sistematizada e agrupada em diferentes tópicos, levando à criação de uma lista de critérios avaliativos e seus respectivos indicadores de performance. Então, com a finalidade de ilustrar a aplicabilidade, essa lista foi utilizada em dois casos do setor de expansão urbana, sendo um deles no Brasil (cidade de Ribeirão Preto) e o outro na Escócia (cidade de Glasgow). Desse modo, foi possível analisar ambos os sistemas de tiering, apontando similaridades, limitações e especificidades para cada caso. Dentre estas foi possível apontar a fragmentação institucional brasileira em relação ao planejamento sobre o uso do solo, a falta de um planejamento em escala regional e a inclusão apenas residual das considerações ambientais nas políticas, planos e programas (PPPs). Além disso, em relação ao modelo de análise proposto, muito mais do que classificar os estudos de caso e atribuir superioridade ou inferioridade, este serviu de guia dirigido para investigação das diferenças estruturais entre os casos estudados. Mais estudos são necessários para se aumentar o entendimento acerca das diferenças entre sistemas de tiering e para propor novas maneiras de analisar tais sistemas / The creation of public policies has a strategic role in tackling global environmental problems. However, there is a need to reconcile and make compatible local and national policies, and these with international treaties. Regarding, environmental impact assessments, the linking of environmental considerations of different policies, plans, and programs at different political-administrative levels is called tiering. Intending to unravel the conditions and factors that determine an effective tiering system, this research aimed to identify and analyze the variables that potentially influence the flow of environmental information and decisions among the various levels across the planning hierarchy. To achieve this goal, first a systematic review of the scientific literature was carried out. Then, with the methodological help of the content analysis, the raw information was systematized and grouped into different topics, leading to the creation of a list of evaluative criteria and their respective performance indicators. In order to demonstrate applicability, this list was used in two cases of the housing and urban expansion sector, one of which in Brazil (city of Ribeirão Preto) and the other in Scotland (city of Glasgow). In this way, it was possible to analyze both tiering systems, pointing out similarities, limitations and specificities for each case. Among these are the Brazilian institutional fragmentation in terms of land-use planning , the lack of the regional tier, and the lack of systematic inclusion of environmental considerations in policies, plans and programs (PPPs) development. Regarding the analysis framework proposed, it served more guidance to unravel the structural differences between the two contexts, than as a way to rank and classify them in terms of superior and inferior. More studies are needed to improve the understanding the differences in tiering systems and to propose new ways of analyzing them

O crescimento da consciência ecológica ocasionado por problemas ambientais evidenciados nas últimas décadas tem direcionado esforços no sentido de repensar práticas e posturas a fim de minimizar os impactos das atividades humanas no planeta. Termos como sustentabilidade, têm sido recorrentes nas definições de rumos e possibilidades que orientam a adoção de práticas produtivas em diferentes níveis da sociedade. A importância de setor primário potencializa as cobranças quanto aos impactos ambientais das suas diferentes produções, particularmente no que tange à criação de ruminantes na realidade atual das mudanças climáticas. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho buscou colaborar de diferentes formas para um maior conhecimento dos impactos dos sistemas pastoris de produção bovina característicos do Sul do Brasil sobre o meio ambiente. (1) Inicialmente foram descritas as principais ferramentas utilizadas em estudos de sustentabilidade, com vistas à determinação de sua aplicabilidade na avaliação dos ditos sistemas pecuários. São apontados conceitos e peculiaridades a serem considerados e propostas sugestões no que se refere ao uso das mesmas em avaliações de sistemas de criação em pastagens. (2) No primeiro estudo foram avaliados os impactos ambientais de dois sistemas de produção bovina típicos da Região Sul do Brasil (sistema extensivo ou cenário base e sistema melhorado), através da Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida. Mais precisamente, buscou-se: caracterizar seus impactos em termos de: aquecimento global, uso da terra, depleção das águas, de minerais e de combustíveis fósseis, acidificação terrestre e eutrofização das águas. Valores de emissões de gases de efeito estufa (GEE) e de uso da terra, de 22,5 kg de CO2 eq. e 234,78 m2a por kg de ganho de peso vivo, caracterizam o cenário-base. (3) No segundo estudo foram avaliados os impactos da aplicação de diferentes práticas melhoradoras no cenário-base sobre o balanço de GEE e demais aspectos ambientais relacionados à problemática do aquecimento global. Essas alterações incluíram no curto prazo: a introdução de gramíneas hibernais e estivais; introdução de leguminosas em substituição ao uso de fertilizantes nitrogenados; incrementos da taxa de desmame; intensificação do uso das pastagens e; aumento da taxa de descarte anual. Também foram considerados os efeitos do pastejo sobre os estoques de carbono do solo e a estabilização dos mesmos, numa perspectiva de médio e longo prazo. A diversidade dos resultados obtidos fornece subsídios para um maior entendimento das singularidades regionais, necessário para a proposição de alternativas de mitigação. Os diferentes cenários propostos demonstram diferentes possibilidades de mitigação dos efeitos destes sistemas produtivos sobre o ambiente, observando-se reduções de mais de 20 vezes das emissões de GEE e valores sete vezes menores de uso da terra. Os resultados obtidos são discutidos em função: de características climáticas e culturais da região que facilitam a obtenção de performances ambientais favoráveis e; da importância da dinâmica do carbono na biomassa aérea e radicular das plantas como elemento definidor da contribuição de sistemas pastoris de produção para a problemática do clima, bem como, para a questão ambiental em seu sentido amplo. / The growth of ecological consciousness caused by environmental problems highlighted in recent decades has directed efforts to rethink attitudes and practices to minimize the impacts of human activities on the planet. Terms such as sustainability have been recurrent in definitions of directions and possibilities that drive the adoption of production practices at different levels of society. The importance of the primary sector potentiates the charges regarding the environmental impacts of its various productions, particularly in relation to ruminant breeding in the current reality of climate changes. In this context, the present study sought to collaborate in different ways to a better understanding of the impacts on the environment of grazing systems for cattle production, characteristic of southern Brazil. (1) Initially, the main tools used in sustainability studies were described, with a view to determining their applicability in evaluating livestock grazing systems. Concepts and peculiarities are pointed, and suggestions regarding the use of these tools in evaluation of breeding pasture systems are proposed. (2) In the first study, the environmental impacts of two cattle production systems typical of Southern Brazil were assessment. (extensified system or baseline scenario and improved system), through the Life Cycle Assessment. More precisely, it was sought to characterize their impacts in terms of: global warming, land use, depletion of waters, minerals and fossil fuels, terrestrial acidification and eutrophication. The values of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and land use, of 22.5 kg CO2 eq. and 234.78 m2a per live weight kg, characterize the baseline scenario. (3) In the second study, the impacts of the application of different improved practices in baseline scenario on the GHG balance and other environmental aspects related to the issue of global warming were assessment. In the short-term, these changes included: the introduction of winter and summer grasses, the introduction of leguminous to replace the use of nitrogen fertilizers; the increasing of weaning rates, the intensification of pasture uses and, the increasing of the annual disposal rate. Furthermore, the effects of grazing on soil carbon stocks were also considered, in a medium and long term. The diversity of the obtained results provides subsidies to a greater understanding about regional singularities, which is necessary for proposing alternatives to mitigate their effects. The different baseline scenarios present different possibilities of mitigation the effects of these production systems on the environment, observing reductions of more than 20 times the GHG emissions and seven times lower values of land use. The results are discussed with reference to: climatic and cultural characteristics of the region that facilitate the achievement of favorable environmental performances and, the importance of the dynamics of carbon in root and aerial biomass of plants as a defining element of the contribution of pastoral production systems for climate issues, as well as for environmental issues in a broader sense.

A Avaliação Ambiental Estratégica (AAE) tem se destacado como um instrumento que auxilia no processo de tomada de decisões de Política, Planos e Programas, com aplicações que se distribuem por vários setores. Nos países desenvolvidos, os sistemas de Avaliação Ambiental Estratégica dispõem dos elementos essenciais para a integração do instrumento aos processos de tomada de decisões estratégicas, ao contrário dos países em desenvolvimento. Nesses países, as Agências Multilaterais de Desenvolvimento (AMD) despontam como grandes responsáveis pela disseminação da aplicação da AAE, o que remete à necessidade de sua adaptação aos diferentes contextos verificados. Neste sentido, a presente dissertação de Mestrado é voltada para a caracterização e análise da utilização da AAE pelas AMDs no contexto dos acordos multilaterais de financiamento estabelecidos com países em desenvolvimento. Para tanto, foram identificados o perfil geral de aplicação das AAES pelas AMDs selecionadas (Banco Mundial, Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento, Banco Interamericano de Desenvolvimento, Banco Asiático de Desenvolvimento), bem como as diretrizes operacionais estabelecidas pelas agências para o uso do instrumento, tendo sido cotejadas diante de princípios de boas práticas para a aplicação da AAE. De modo complementar, para seis casos selecionados, foram aplicados procedimentos voltados à identificação dos aspectos estratégicos relacionados aos objetos submetidos à avaliação, bem como o alinhamento entre os Termos de Referência e as Avaliações Ambientais. Finalmente, foram aplicados critérios para revisão da qualidade dos relatórios das AAEs selecionadas. Os resultados obtidos indicam que as AMDs analisadas têm contribuído para a disseminação da AAE nos países em desenvolvimento, tendo solicitado 214 estudos em 59 países até o ano de 2014. Contudo, a abordagem empregada pelas AMDs - derivadas basicamente a partir das diretrizes operacionais estabelecidas em 1999 pelo Banco Mundial - apresenta diferenças importantes com as boas práticas internacionais no que diz respeito à avaliação de alternativas estratégicas e participação pública, além de serem aplicadas a objetos com baixo enfoque estratégico. Os resultados obtidos a partir da revisão de qualidade dos relatórios analisados mostram-se coerentes e alinhados com o contexto de aplicação das AAEs, apresentando baixa qualidade em termos da descrição da baseline, estabelecimento de alternativas e participação pública. / Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been highilighted as an instrument that assist the process of Policy, Plan and Program decision making, with applications distributed in various sectors. In developed countries, the SEA systems have the essential elements which promote the integration of this instrument to strategic decision making processes, as opposed to developing countries. In these countries, the Multilateral Development Agencies (MDA) emerge as responsible for the widespread of SEA application, which lead to the need to adapt this tool to different contexts. In this sense, this Master\'s thesis is focused on the characterization and analysis of the use of SEA by MDAs in the context of multilateral financing agreements established with developing countries. Thus, the general profile of SEA applications required by MDAs (World Bank, African Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and Asian Development Bank) and the SEA operating guidelines established by these agencies have been identified, and faced to principles of SEA good practice. Moreover, to six selected cases, procedures were applied aimed at identifying the strategic aspects related to the objects undergoing assessment as well as the alignment between the Terms of Reference and Environmental Assessments. Finally, criteria to review the quality of reports were applied to the selected SEAs. The results indicate that MDAs analyzed have contributed to the spread of the SEA in developing countries, requiring 214 studies in 59 countries by 2014. However, the approach used by MDAs - basically derived from the operational guidelines established by the World Bank in 1999 - has important differences compared to international best practice with regard to the evaluation of strategic alternatives and public participation, beside being applied to objects with low strategic focus. The results from the reports quality review are conherent and aligned to the SEAs context application, showing low quality in the baseline description, alternatives establishment and public participation.

Estudos que avaliam a presença de interferentes endócrinos (IEs) em águas superficiais destinadas ao abastecimento público de grandes metrópoles aumentam a cada ano, devido aos efeitos que estas substâncias podem causar ao homem e animais mesmo quando em concentrações de ng L-1. Este estudo determinou 14 compostos orgânicos, entre interferentes endócrinos e marcadores de atividade antropogênica, em amostras de água e sedimento superficial da represa Guarapiranga, um dos maiores reservatórios que abastecem a Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. O estudo indicou a presença de concentrações máximas entre 1061 ng L-1 e 12921 ng L-1 (para bisfenol A e dibutilftalato, respectivamente) na classe dos IEs e 114 ng L-1 e 12818 ng L-1 (para o colestanol e colesterol, respectivamente) na classe dos traçadores de atividade humana. Em sedimento, a concentração máxima variou de 3 ng g-1 a 872 ng g-1 (para o estradiol e nonilfenol, respectivamente). As concentrações mais elevadas foram observadas principalmente no ponto de amostragem G103-12 (23º41\'88,5\"S e 46º44\'67,3\"W), sendo a causa associada à densa urbanização próxima a este ponto. Embora, para a maioria dos compostos não haja concentrações limites estabelecidas em água superficial, abastecimento e sedimento, é muito importante que mais estudos sejam realizados a fim de conhecer o risco real para a saúde da população atendida por essas águas. A avaliação da qualidade da água quanto à presença de compostos emergentes em reservatórios é considerada um dos principais instrumentos que balizam a tomada de decisão dos gestores e fornecem subsidios para revisão da legislação. / Studies assessing the presence of endocrine disruptors compounds (EDCs) in surface water for public supply of major metropolis increase every year due to the effects that these substances can cause to human and wildlife even in concentrations of ng L-1. The present study determined 14 organic compounds, including endocrine disruptors and anthropogenic markers in surface water and sediment samples from Guarapiranga dam, one of the largest reservoirs that supply the Metropolitan Region of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The study indicated the presence of these compounds at maximum concentration ranging from 1061 ng L-1 and 12921 ng L-1 (of bisphenol A and dibutyl phthalate, respectively) for EDCs and 114 ng L-1 and 12818 ng L-1 (for cholestanol and cholesterol, respectively) for tracers of human activity. In sediment, maximum concentration ranged from 3 ng g-1 to 872 ng g-1 (for estradiol and nonylphenol, respectively). The highest concentrations were observed at the sampling point G103-12 (23º41\'88.5 \"S and 46º44\'67.3\" W), which is associated to the dense urbanization near to this point. Although, to the most of compounds studied there is no concentration limits established for surface and supply water and sediment, it is very important that more studies should be conducted to ascertain the actual risk to the health of the population served by these waters. The assessment of water quality for the presence of emerging compounds in reservoirs is considered one of the main instruments to guide the managers decision making and provide subsidies for review of the regulation.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves [268]-285) / xiv, 285, [85] leaves : ill. (some folded), maps (col., folded) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geographical and Environmental Studies, 2002

<p>This thesis aims to show how biogeophysical and social processes are interlinked in landscape change, and to propose approaches for interdisciplinary environmental assessments (such as EIAs), concentrating on developing countries’ situations, and representation of findings from such studies. </p><p>Landscape in its holistic sense is a very good concept and basis for intellectual and practical use in environmental dialogues. However, landscapes are valued and assessed differently, depending on cultural background along with individual characteristics. </p><p>Methods of conducting interdisciplinary environmental assessments need to vary, but it is important to follow a structure to avoid too broad and general studies that only assemble a few factors and present them without an integrated synthesis. This thesis has suggested one research sequence and structure that has proven to be practical and possible to execute in areas where data is scarce and where local involvement is a major component. It extends the observation period in time and space where remote sensing analyses are integrated with interviews, archive material, land-cover assessments and soil analyses.</p><p>Case studies from Tanzania have been used to investigate how perceptions of land and resources manifest themselves at local scales and how this information can contribute to sustainable environmental planning. Preferences and perceptions of land as being ‘important’ and ‘good’ do not always correlate with favourable biogeophysical conditions, indicating that both social services, such as health care, access to markets, education and employment, as well as “non-rational” factors are essential to consider in environmental planning and management.</p><p>This study has partly been part of a larger research project investigating the links between human livelihood and biodiversity in <i>miombo</i> woodlands. It has been shown how <i>miombo</i> woodland is important to local populations as it provides material goods as well as many intangible services. However, it is also associated with problems and dangers, which are important to consider and understand in planning for the environment and sustainable development.</p>

This thesis aims to show how biogeophysical and social processes are interlinked in landscape change, and to propose approaches for interdisciplinary environmental assessments (such as EIAs), concentrating on developing countries’ situations, and representation of findings from such studies. Landscape in its holistic sense is a very good concept and basis for intellectual and practical use in environmental dialogues. However, landscapes are valued and assessed differently, depending on cultural background along with individual characteristics. Methods of conducting interdisciplinary environmental assessments need to vary, but it is important to follow a structure to avoid too broad and general studies that only assemble a few factors and present them without an integrated synthesis. This thesis has suggested one research sequence and structure that has proven to be practical and possible to execute in areas where data is scarce and where local involvement is a major component. It extends the observation period in time and space where remote sensing analyses are integrated with interviews, archive material, land-cover assessments and soil analyses. Case studies from Tanzania have been used to investigate how perceptions of land and resources manifest themselves at local scales and how this information can contribute to sustainable environmental planning. Preferences and perceptions of land as being ‘important’ and ‘good’ do not always correlate with favourable biogeophysical conditions, indicating that both social services, such as health care, access to markets, education and employment, as well as “non-rational” factors are essential to consider in environmental planning and management. This study has partly been part of a larger research project investigating the links between human livelihood and biodiversity in miombo woodlands. It has been shown how miombo woodland is important to local populations as it provides material goods as well as many intangible services. However, it is also associated with problems and dangers, which are important to consider and understand in planning for the environment and sustainable development.

Monitoring is an important tool for gaining insight into an organisation’s environmental performance and for learning about the environmental condition and the effectiveness of environmental management measures. Development of environmental monitoring has generally relied on research aiming at improving monitoring methodology, technique or practice within a particular management tool. Little empirical research has taken into account the organisation’s reality where several management tools are used in parallel. This thesis analyses the practice of environmental monitoring in public authorities with the aim of identifying barriers and possibilities for environmental monitoring as an instrument for improving environmental performance, using the Swedish Rail Administration as a case organisation. The study identified two different types of environmental monitoring: environmental performance measurement (EPM) and activity monitoring, both important for achieving environmental improvements. EPM involves gathering and evaluating data to determine whether the organisation is meeting the criteria for environmental performance set by the management of the organisation. EPM can further be used for judging the success and failure of environmental objectives and strategies. Activity monitoring provides each project of the organisation with information to minimise the negative effects on the natural environment or human health and to ensure that the organisation’s operations conform with regulations. Problems encountered comprised a variety of little co-ordinated monitoring activities, poor utilization of the monitoring results as well as limited internal feedback on monitoring results. Some of the problems identified seem to be an effect of the management transition from a traditional ‘command and control’ system to a self-administered organisation managed by economic incentives and voluntary management systems. This thesis suggests several improvements to make monitoring more efficient. Primarily, the monitoring systems must have a clear structure and be adapted to its specific function. The EPE system would benefit from being integrated with the organisation’s central performance measurement, presenting progress towards organisational strategic objectives as well as operational objectives. The system for activity monitoring must not only focus on inputs and outputs to the system but must also include the environmental condition of the system. In order to improve communication and learning, monitoring data within both EPE and activity monitoring must be better transmitted and utilised within the structure of the permanent organisation. Experience from all monitoring activities that now is scattered and inaccessible to the individuals of the organisation could beneficially be stored within a well-structured organisational ‘memory‘. Such a system would facilitate an iterative management process where the monitoring results and the knowledge gained are used for making future plans and projects more adaptive, thereby improving the environmental performance of the organisation. / QC 20100729

<p>Urbanisation and infrastructure developments impact on the surrounding natural environment and threaten biodiversity. The fragmentation of natural habitats in particular is a major obstacle for the preservation of biodiversity in a long-term perspective. In the planning process, both the environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment processes play a central role in the identification and prediction of impacts on biodiversity. At the same time, the devel-opment of GIS technologies and GIS-based ecological models offer new perspectives in the elaboration of predictions. In order to analyse current practices and identify the need for im-provements in the environmental impact process, a review of environmental impact assessment reports was carried out. Further, a review of existing GIS methods and GIS-based ecological models is presented. The results of the review of environmental impact assessment reports show a lack of predictions in current biodiversity assessments. These asssessments often concentrate on impacts at the local scale, failing to consider large-scale and widespread impacts at the ecosys-tem and landscape levels. The review of GIS methods and GIS-based ecological models demon-strate the possibility to generate quantitative predictions for a specific area as well as for it’s sur-rounding environment. At the same time, the flexibility and reproducibility of such methods would allow predictions to be made for different alternatives or scenarios, therefore providing decision makers with relevant information of potential impacts on biodiversity. This would, in turn, result in an improved integration of biodiversity issues in physical planning and contribute to a sustainable development.</p>